Abstract: An automated brazing system by which an apparatus is conveyed along a path defined through a brazing zone is provided and includes first and second sets of burners disposed within the brazing zone at first and second opposing sides of the path, respectively, to heat the components of the apparatus substantially uniformly at the first and second sides and to heat the components of the apparatus substantially uniformly along the brazing zone, such that each side of each of the components is heated to a substantially similar temperature as each side of each of the other components.

Abstract: A brazing alloy is provided in the form of a wire, rod or preform, and is made of, in weight percent: 3-7.5% P, 0.1-1.9% Zn, 0-74.7% Ag, 0-80% Au, 0-10% Sn, 0-5% Ni, 0-3% each of Si, Mn, Li, and Ge, and the balance copper in an amount of at least 21.7%. In additional embodiments, Zn may be present in an amount of 0.6-1.9%. A method of torch brazing is also provided. The method includes forming the alloy into a wire or rod, placing the tip of the wire or rod in contact with a surface of a joint, heating the joint surface using a torch flame, and contacting the tip of the wire or rod to the heated joint surface to melt and flow the alloy onto the joint surface and into the joint under capillary action.

Abstract: A combination trimming/flame treatment end effector adapted for mounting to the end of a robotic arm. A trimming blade extends from a main body portion of the end effector for performing a trimming operation. The trimming blade may be mounted in an exchangeable cartridge to facilitate blade changing. Also extending from the main body portion is a flame treatment element for performing a flame treatment operation. The flame treatment element generally comprises a torch or burner. Because both the trimming blade and the flame treatment element are part of the same end effector, the robot simply manipulates the end effector such that the desired one of the trimming blade or the flame treatment element is properly positioned for use. As such, a tooling change can be avoided. While not restricted thereto, it is contemplated that an end effector of the present invention may be used to process vehicle bumper fascias.

Abstract: A metal joining system having a first burner assembly configured to selectively heat a first zone and an assembly support at least partially vertically lower than at least a portion of the first heat zone and a first hood vertically above at least a portion of the assembly support.

Abstract: Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining layers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g., air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt or soften the joining material, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a reactive multilayer foil is fabricated by providing an assembly (stack or multilayer) of reactive layers, inserting the assembly into a jacket, deforming the jacketed assembly to reduce its cross sectional area, flattening the jacketed assembly into a sheet, and then removing the jacket. Advantageously, the assembly is wound into a cylinder before insertion into the jacket, and the jacketed assembly is cooled to a temperature below 100° C. during deforming. The resulting multilayer foil is advantageous as a freestanding reactive foil for use in bonding, ignition or propulsion.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a ball at a lower end of a material solder wire which is arranged generally vertically. The method comprises the steps of: forming an upward stream of an oxygen-free gas surrounding the solder wire; bringing a lateral flame of combustion to a ball forming position adjacent to the upward gas stream but short of the solder wire to thermally melt the lower end of the solder wire into a ball; and causing the lower ball end of the solder wire to solidify in the upward gas stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a ball at a lower end of a material solder wire which is arranged generally vertically. The method comprises the steps of: forming an upward stream of an oxygen-free gas surrounding the solder wire; bringing a lateral flame of combustion to a ball forming position adjacent to the upward gas stream but short of the solder wire to thermally melt the lower end of the solder wire into a ball; and causing the lower ball end of the solder wire to solidify in the upward gas stream.

Abstract: In a process for brazing a metal in a continuous manner, a work consisting of a base metal and a part to be brazed thereto is disposed in a box-shaped heat retaining container which is opened at its upper portion to surround lower and side surfaces of the work and fixing the work by a retaining jig. The work within said heat retaining container is heated by a continuous combustion in a gas burner, so that the temperature of said work is raised to a predetermined preheating temperature. Then, the work is subjected to a soaking treatment at the preheating temperature by switching-over the combustion in the gas burner to a pulse combustion. The continuous combustion in the gas burner is restarted to raise the temperature of the work to a brazing temperature, and then, the part is brazed to said base metal with the temperature of the work maintained at the brazing temperature by switching-over the combustion in the gas burner to a pulse combustion.

Abstract: A soldering device includes a tube (1) for delivering a source of heating energy such as gas which is slidingly mounted in a chamber (52) such as a piston cylinder so that only the tube needs to be moved in order to move the heat source up and down with respect to a workpiece. Likewise, in a solder dispenser, the solder is supplied through a rigid tube (33) which may be slidingly mounted in a cylinder (52). The two may be used together in a combined soldering device/dispenser.

Abstract: A method of soldering leads to electrical elements, such as resistors, in which a ribbon of solder, having a coating of flux, is sandwiched between a plurality of electrical elements and a plurality of leads. Hydrogen flames then cut the ribbon at points between the electrical elements and also between the leads. The hydrogen flames are then directed at the leads to melt the solder and cause extending portions of the ribbons to be drawn towards the leads.

Abstract: A method of carrying out hot pressure welding of hot steel stock is disclosed, which is effective for achieving a continuous hot rolling line. The hot steel stock to be joined is subjected to butt joining or lap joining in a reducing atmosphere under pressure while under hot conditions.

Abstract: In a continuous hot rolling system, at least one melt-cut torch is set in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to a trailing end of a preceding hot material and a leading end of an adjacent succeeding hot material. An injected flow of cutting gas from the melt-cut torch is blown against a portion of at least one of the trailing end of the preceding material and the leading end of the succeeding material to melt-cut the portion. The portion extends from an end surface of the one end over a predetermined length. The trailing end of the preceding material and the leading end of the succeeding material are forced against each other and are butt-joined to each other. By doing so, there are produced joining surfaces superior in surface accuracy and high in temperature, to allow joining to be high in accuracy and strength. This joining may be made with respect to slabs before rough rolling, or may be made with respect to bars after rough rolling.

Abstract: A method of lining an exhaust manifold is disclosed, comprising the steps of applying a thin layer of a heat-resistant compound to the interior of an exhaust manifold and bonding the compound to the manifold. The manifold may be in two or more sections when the compound is applied and the sections may subsequently be joined together to form the manifold. The compound may contain zirconium and/or may be a ceramic material.

Abstract: A method lining a component of a vehicle which may contact exhaust gases is disclosed, including the steps of applying a thin layer of a heat-resistant compound to an inner surface of the component to form a liner therein and bonding the liner to the surface. The manifold may be in two or more sections when the compound is applied and the sections may subsequently be joined together to form the component. The compound may contain zirconium and/or may be a ceramic material.

Abstract: An automated method of brazing to join two metal parts together at a joint with a braze alloy. The two parts are moved to a brazing station and maintained in a fixed position. The two metal parts are heated at the joint at a high heat rate to a predetermined temperature which exceeds the temperature that would melt the braze alloy and less than a temperature that would cause degradation of the metal parts. The temperature of the metal parts in close proximity to the joint is detected and when the first predetermined temperature is reached, the heating rate is reduced to a lower heat rate sufficient to keep the braze alloy in a liquidous state. The braze alloy is introduced to the joint between the two metal parts while they are being heated at the lower heat rate to join the two parts together and then the joined two metal parts are removed from the brazing station.

Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged or defective section of a length of original piping or tubing located within a structrue such as the turbine of a jet engine wherein access to the tubing is limited, and replacing such damaged section with a new section of tubing comprises inserting a cutter mounted at one end of a flexible shaft into the interior of the original tubing and rotating the shaft to cut out and remove the damaged section of tubing leaving at least one stub section of original tubing. The stub sections of original tubing are then prepared for welding or brazing to a section of replacement tubing with a series of tools each mounted to an elongated shaft. These tools include a chamfering tool, a deburring tool, and a polishing tool.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the automatic joining of pins to the surfaces of articles, especially of ear pins to associated pieces of jewelry, the joining step utilizes flame soldering in the automatic joining process in order to reduce costs for small lot manufacturing and firm joining of the pin to the article. The apparatus has an article receptacle movably disposed on a base plate which also carries a solder supply gun, a pin supply and support structure and a soldering flame nozzle, all being movable between a remote rest position and an operating position in which they are properly located for performing the pin soldering task.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming an electrical connection between electrical conductors by soldering. A lead wire with a coating of insulating material has a selected portion of the coating removed by a flame from a torch. The bared portion of the lead wire is wrapped around a second conductor such as a terminal, and the two conductors are then immersed in a low temperature, ultrasonically agitated liquid solder bath. The terminal also can have insulation which is burned off by the flame before the soldering takes place. The insulation on the lead wire can be burned off when it is wrapped around the terminal.